JOAO WARNING

De Zerbi gets on Brazil ace's case

- JOHN RICHARDSON

IT WAS barbs not bouquets for Joao Pedro – despite his double goal strike setting Brighton on their way to FA Cup redemption.

The semi-final defeat on penalties against Manchester United is still hurting – hence Roberto De Zerbi’s no-nonsense starting line-up against their Championship opponents.

Having come back from going behind to a Jan Paul van Hecke own goal to lead through another Pervis Estupinan stunner and a Lewis Dunk header, the Seagulls were tested to the full through a Lewis Baker penalty before record £30m summer signing Pedro sealed their passage into the next round with two clinical finishes.

It’s now 15 goals for the Brazilian, but just tough love from his manager – a policy supported by Brighton skipper Dunk.